Stocks to watch Friday: Novartis, Metabolix, JDA

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Among the stocks that could see active trade in Friday’s session are Novartis AG, Metabolix Inc. and JDA Software Group Inc.
NVS, -1.15%

Novartis
NVS, -1.15%
said it will cut 1,960 jobs, primarily from the ranks of its U.S. sales operations, in a restructuring precipitated by generic competition expected to emerge for its heart drug Diovan. Staff reductions will become effective starting in the second quarter. Management’s expectations for lower potential sales from high-blood pressure medicine Rasilez will mean taking a charge of $900 million against results for the fourth quarter of 2011, with discontinuation of two experimental drugs to be covered by a one-time charge of $160 million. Novartis will also take a restructuring-related charge of $160 million against first-quarter results. The restructuring’s likely to lead to savings of about $450 million a year by 2013, Novartis said.

Late Thursday, Metabolix
MBLX
said it will scale back its bioplastics business as a result of a move by Archer Daniels Midland Co.
ADM, -0.11%
to exit the companies’ joint venture effective Feb. 8. The venture, known as Telles, was formed in 2006 and has produced plant-based biodegradable plastics. Cambridge, Mass.-based Metabolix said it expects to take $2 million to $3 million in restructuring charges, but CEO Richard Eno said the company will continue to work toward making bioplastics a commercial success. Decatur, Ill.-based ADM cited uncertainty about prospects for the Telles venture in explaining its decision and hinted at layoffs at its facility in Clinton, Iowa.

JDA Software
JDAS
affirmed its original financial forecast for 2011, pegging revenue growth at 9% to about $670 million. For the fourth quarter, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company said revenue would be about $173 million, up 3% from the final three months of 2010, but management noted an “unanticipated shortfall” in software license sales in North America. Software and subscription revenue for the quarter are forecast to drop 12%, to about $37 million. JDA Software will formally report quarterly and 2011 results on Jan. 31.

A Wall Street Journal report said federal prosecutors have made Diamond Foods Inc.
DMND
the focus of a criminal inquiry over whether the Stockton, Calif.-based company committed fraud in its accounting for payments to walnut farmers. Such a probe could jeopardize a 2011 deal in which Procter & Gamble Co.
PG, -0.08%
agreed to sell its Pringles brand to Diamond Foods. The Journal report cited people familiar with the matter.

New York & Co.
NWY, +14.36%
said it anticipates a fourth-quarter net loss in a range of $11 million to $13 million as “significantly higher” levels of promotions weighed on margins and as the retailer’s comparable-store sales declined more than expected. As revised, the company sees comp-store sales falling at a percentage rate in the mid-to-high single-digit range, with gross margins projected to narrow by about 6.5 to 7.5 percentage points from the year-earlier quarter. Management also stood behind New York & Co.’s expansion plans for fiscal 2012.

Mark Rubash will leave the post of chief financial officer of Shutterfly Inc.
SFLY, +2.06%
effective Feb. 24. He plans to go work at an early-stage medical technology company, according to Redwood City, Calif.-based Shutterfly. Rubash will oversee the company’s year-end accounting close and annual audit process, after which CEO Jeff Housenbold and Chief Accounting Officer Brian Manca will jointly assume the CFO’s duties as Shutterfly conducts an executive search for a permanent replacement.

Placing a bet on the future revenue potential of online gamers, International Game Technology
IGT, +6.02%
said it will acquire social-media developer and “virtual casino” Double Down Interactive LLC. Terms call for the payment of $250 million in cash as well as $85 million in retention payments over the next two years and up to $165 million performance-based payments for the next three years. Reno, Nev.-based IGT said that it will fund the acquisition, expected to close fiscal second quarter, using cash on hand and that it would contribute to add to earnings on an adjusted for fiscal 2012.

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